The D50 is an amazing camera, robust, all perfection for its functions, and has a great sensor 6.1 MP Nikon DX Format (23.7 x 15.6 mm) which has larger pixels size (less noise) than the more dense alternatives, yet a quite good resolution.
Sooting in RAW is brutal sharp if paired with good optics. All the necessary functions are installed for capturing great RAW files at exceptional quality.

Superb optical performance at 70mm, and great thru 200mm
very good from 200 to 300 mm
VR works incredible well excellent for the range,
VR allows hand held at 300mm perfectly well
fast focusing, Silent motor

Cons:

too much plastic
lens luminosity at 300 mm, F5.6

I love this lens, I can use it hand held even in very compromised lighting conditions, thanks to its VR technology.
The optics are great.in the range of 70-100mm has a beautiful bookeh and sharpness for portraits. Great lens for photo-hunting, it is hard to miss your target with 300mm hand held which at 1.5x is like holding a telescope of 450mm.. The VR is magic,, you can leave the tripod at home. It has quite plastic feel (for the bucks) *but* it is also lightweight because of that.
The lens has a hood, and it calls the attention a lot...
I am very glad to have this lens, and I would buy it again!

superb quality from 24 to 70mm, specially between F4 to F9.
At 17mm has a bit of vignetting, easily corrected by software (i.e. ACR4). at F5.6 gets its most sharpness, extremely sharp as a good prime lens. at 17mm and wide open F2.8, there is a small amount of CA, that can be also corrected by software.
The overall performance is great, you will not get disappointed by this quite sharp and versatile zoom.
I would buy it again!!